Here's a guide to help you navigate
Michelle Stennett
March 28, 2020
"I simply can't build my hopes on a foundation of confusion, misery and death... I think... peace and tranquility will return again."
--Anne Frank
In light of the ongoing COVID-19 emergency in Idaho, please be aware of the following information and resources.
Governor Little issued a state-wide Stay-Home Order on March 25, 2020, in effect until at least April 15, 2020. Essential services, including hospitals, grocery stores, gas stations, and pharmacies may remain open.
There is a FAQs page for this order, including:If I don't get a paycheck, I won't be able to buy groceries or pay rent. Are there services to help me? Yes. You may be eligible for public assistance for food, medical care, rent, and more. Please call 1-877-456-1233 or visit www.livebetteridaho.org to apply.
The Centers for Disease Control has a COVID-19 website and the World Health Organization has information on their website as well. John Hopkins has a coronavirus map and international statistics.
COVID-19 resources for undocumented people can be found here.
Blaine County COVID-19 Information Hotline - 208-788-5504 - is being staffed from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm daily and messages can be left after hours.
South Central Public Health District has a hotline available for the public to call to ask questions and obtain reliable information about the Coronavirus Disease COVID-19. The hotline number is (208) 737-1138. For those Spanish-speaking residents with questions, please call (208) 737-5965.
Idaho's Novel Coronavirus website is regularly updated with the numbers of cases, testing numbers, and other information.
The Idaho Board of Education has directed a "soft-closure" of all public schools until April 20. During this soft closure schools must provide three essential services:
Provide food services to underserved populations and childcare for community members who provide critical services.
Develop and implement plans for delivering remote or distance learning strategies (online, video or teleconference).
Develop a plan for providing special education-related services
Apply for unemployment benefits online through the Idaho Department of Labor or by calling (208) 332-8942, but note that call volumes are high causing long wait times.
St. Luke's Medical Center has a phone line for COVID-19 questions, including help determining if you qualify for a test at 208-381-9500. They have multiple drive-thru testing sites around Idaho. St. Luke's Wood River Medical Centerhas drive-thru testing at 100 Hospital Dr in Ketchum. It is open daily from 10am to 6 pm until further notice. No appointment necessary. Criteria for testing include shortness of breath, coughing, body aches, a fever of 100 degrees or higher, or potential exposure to the virus. Testing is not available if you do not meet the criteria.
St. Alphonsus also has a phone line and testing available for those who meet the criteria. You may call their non-urgent COVID-19 hotline at 208-302-2683 between 8 am - 8 pm to speak with a nurse about symptoms, screening criteria and locations, risk factors, and precautions. Call ahead before going to any provider if you believe you may have COVID-19. Call 911 in case of emergency.
Kootenai Health asks that if you have any questions about coronavirus or think you may be displaying symptoms, call the Panhandle Health District at 1-877-415-5225. Please call this number before visiting a physician's office or emergency department. If you believe you have Coronavirus/COVID-19 and need emergency care, please call the Emergency Department prior to arrival at (208) 625-5700. Staff will direct you to the screening tent on the south side of the hospital, near the emergency department.
Apply for Medicaid (including Medicaid Expansion), food stamps, and other assistance through the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
.Call 211 for help finding community services.
Anyone in need of help or who believes they may be in a violent relationship is encouraged to contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (A3PCON) and Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA) have launched this reporting center to allow community members to report incidents of hate they have experienced. Individual information, including personal identification details, will be kept confidential and will only be shared with permission. In the aggregate, the information will be used for assistance, advocacy and education.
Find food banks, food pantries, or school feeding sites.
Jesse Tree is a non-profit organization that works to prevent homelessness. The physical Jesse Tree office will be closed to the public until further notice. You can still access programs by calling 208-383-9486 or by emailing office@jessetreeidaho.org. Leave a voicemail and your call will be returned within 1-3 business days.
Some small businesses may be eligible for low-interest loans through the federal Small Business Administration.
The Idaho Statesman is providing COVID-19 coverage without a paywall and is translating important articles into Spanish.
Idaho has extended the state tax deadline until June 15, 2020, to file state income taxes and make any state income tax payments and apply for the Property Tax Reduction, Property Tax Deferral, and 100% Service-connected Disabled Veteran Benefit programs.
The 2019 federal income tax filing and payment deadlines for all taxpayers who file and pay their Federal income taxes on April 15, 2020, are automatically extended until July 15, 2020. This relief applies to all individual returns, trusts, and corporations. This relief is automatic, taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms or call the IRS to qualify.
Request an absentee ballot to vote in the upcoming primary and the November 2020 election at idahovotes.gov.
Blood donations needed due to shortage. Make an appointment to donate: https://www.redcrossblood.org/
Donate to the Idaho Food Bank: https://idahofoodbank.org/donate/
Donate to Jesse Tree, a non-profit that works to prevent homelessness: https://www.jessetreeidaho.org/donate
Blaine County's front line workers need Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). Sun Valley Economic Development is asking the community for donations of surgical or N95 masks, medical grade gloves, hand sanitizer and disinfectant (spray or wipes) for Blaine County. Area responders are having a difficult time obtaining these much needed supplies to protect our community due to the shortage nationwide. If your business is shut down and you have a supply you would like to donate, contact SVED at David@SunValleyEconomy.org and Harry@SunValleyEconomy.org and they will help coordinate drop-off or pick-up points with the organizations in need.
Sincerely,
Michelle